This lovely Hot Cross Bun Pudding uses an old-fashioned bread and butter pudding recipe to add a little magic to traditional hot cross buns.
This recipe takes just minutes. It's the perfect dessert for Easter and turns your basic Hot Cross Buns into something wonderful.
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Making Hot Cross Buns special again
Hot Cross Buns aren't really holy or special these days. "Crazy!" we say as we watch commercialism eat away at the little buns many have long held sacred.
Indeed, back in Queen Elizabeth I's day, Hot Cross Buns were considered so holy that they were only allowed to be sold on Good Friday, at Christmas and at burials. Bake your buns outside of this time and you'd be forced to donate them to the poor.
What to do? Well, here's one idea. Make them extra special again by turning them into an old-fashioned dessert pudding.
Ingredient notes
The star ingredient is hot cross buns – any variety is fine. Having said that, I always think the traditional version is best with this recipe. And the co-star? That'd be the butter.
The remaining ingredients include:
- milk powder
- sugar
- vanilla extract
- boiling water
- eggs.
Ingredient quantities are in the recipe card at the end of this post.
How to make Hot Cross Bun Pudding
Simply cut the buns into three pieces, with a top, middle and bottom. Next, butter the pieces and arrange in a greased baking dish. Mix the remaining ingredients together and pour over your hot cross buns.
Next, place the baking dish in a larger dish filled with 1-2cm of water and bake at 190 degrees celsius/375 degrees celsius for half an hour.
Enjoying your pudding
Serve this pudding immediately with a little ice-cream. Magic! Alternatively, store it in the fridge, covered, for up to a few days and re-heat (or eat it cold).
More Easter Recipes
Check out these other popular Easter recipes:
Made this recipe and love it? Please take a moment to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It’s such a help to others who want to try the recipe. (And it really makes my day to hear how Nana Ling's recipes are being made, shared and loved all around the world! - Libby x)
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Hot Cross Bun Pudding Recipe
Equipment
- medium-sized baking dish (approx 28 x 23 cm)
Ingredients
- 4 hot cross buns (approx 290 grams)
- 60 grams butter
- 1 ½ cup milk powder
- 1 ½ tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups boiling water
- 4 eggs
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 190 degrees celsius.
- Grease a medium-sized baking dish (approx 28 x 23 cm).
- Slice hot cross bun into three pieces (top, middle, bottom) and spread each piece with butter. Layer pieces in the baking dish, using the tops as the top layer.
- Combine remaining ingredients and whisk until frothy.
- Pour mixture over hot cross buns.
- Place baking dish into a larger baking dish filled with 1-2cm of water.
- Place into oven and cook for 30 minutes.
- Once cooked, remove from oven and serve warm with ice cream.
Rana Hunter says
Well I doubled the recipe, didn’t quite use all the custard mix and it was really delicious. I think you probably don’t need quite as much sugar (personal preference), but the custard was beautifully smooth and this would be perfect on a cold night. Was my first time making this pudding, and whilst I was not keen to try it, I’m very glad I did. Thanks
Libby says
Hi Rana. Sorry for the delay in replying! Seems you sorted it all out and enjoyed the pudding. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave feedback and a rating - much appreciated. Happy cooking 🙂 Libby
Del says
I have been making hot cross bun pudding fr many years. The only thing I add is to spread each piece of bun with marmalade ! Outstanding !
Rana Hunter says
Hi Libby, am going to make today for lunch, if I double the recipe, do I need 8 eggs?? Just seems like a lot. Thanks, Rana
Suellyn Bell says
Absolutely delicious. Made this last night using left over milk power from Christmas baking. Just had another serve cold, and it was just as yummy. Thank you Libby for another wonderful recipe.
Libby says
So thrilled to hear this!! Enjoy Suellyn and thanks so much for leaving this lovely comment and review 🙂